Itinerary
- Day 1
Germany to Dubai
You'll depart from Germany on a scheduled flight heading to Dubai. It's time to settle in and get ready for what's ahead in the Middle East.
- Day 2
Dubai
After landing in Dubai, you'll transfer to your hotel and get checked in. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, or you can book the optional desert safari if you're interested. That includes a jeep ride through the dunes, watching the sunset, and having BBQ dinner with belly dancing entertainment.
Included Activities
- Transfer to city hotel
- Check-in to hotel
Optional Activities
- Desert safari with jeep ride through dunes
- Sunset experience in desert
- BBQ evening with belly dancing in Bedouin camp
- Day 3
Dubai
This morning you'll explore Dubai's two historic sides separated by the Dubai Creek. Start at the Dubai Museum to see what life was like before oil, then hop on an abra water taxi across the creek. You'll walk through the gold and spice souk with its various treasures, and stop to photograph the Jumeirah Mosque. By evening, there's an optional dhow cruise available with Arabian buffet and views of Dubai lit up at night.
Included Activities
- Visit Dubai Museum
- Water taxi (abra) ride across Dubai Creek
- Visit gold souk
- Visit spice souk
- Photo stop at Jumeirah Mosque
Optional Activities
- Dhow cruise on Dubai Creek with Arabian buffet and non-alcoholic drinks
Landmarks Dubai Museum Dubai Creek Gold Souk Spice Souk Jumeirah Mosque - Day 4
Dubai to Abu Dhabi to Dubai
You'll drive to Abu Dhabi to see the capital city. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque with its white marble architecture is a must-see, and then you can walk along the Corniche waterfront promenade with fountains and parks. The Heritage Village gives insight into life from a hundred years ago, and you'll notice how modern skyscrapers sit alongside historic districts. After exploring, you'll head back to Dubai.
Included Activities
- Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque
- Drive along Corniche waterfront
- Visit Heritage Village museum
- Handicraft exhibition at Heritage Village
- View restored Bastakia house
Landmarks Sheikh Zayed Mosque Corniche Heritage Village 
- Day 5
Dubai
Today is completely free. You get to decide what interests you in Dubai and move around at whatever pace works best. There's no scheduled activities, so it's your chance to see what you haven't covered yet or revisit favorite spots.
- Day 6
Dubai
You'll see modern Dubai starting with a photo stop at the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel, then drive across Palm Island to see this artificial island development. Next is the Atlantis The Palm hotel, followed by the Burj Khalifa Tower and its water fountain displays. The day ends at Madinat Jumeirah Souks. If you want, you can pay extra to go up to the 124th floor observation platform at the Burj Khalifa for exceptional views of the city and coast.
Included Activities
- Photo stop at Burj Al Arab
- Drive across Palm Island
- Visit Atlantis The Palm hotel area
- Visit Burj Khalifa Tower base and fountain displays
- Visit Madinat Jumeirah Souks
Optional Activities
- Ascent to 124th floor observation platform at Burj Khalifa (404 meters)
Landmarks Burj Al Arab Palm Island Atlantis The Palm Burj Khalifa Madinat Jumeirah Souks - Day 7
Dubai to Muscat
You'll transfer to the airport and fly to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Once you check into your city hotel, the afternoon and evening are open for you to explore on your own and get familiar with the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
- Transfer to city hotel in Muscat
- Day 8
Muscat
After breakfast at the hotel, you have a free morning to relax or wander around. In the early afternoon, you'll head to Bandar al Rhowda Marina for a 2-hour motorboat trip along the coast. You'll see Muscat Bay with its Mirani and Jalali forts, check out the Al Alam Palace, walk through the historic harbor area, and spend time browsing the Mutrah Souq. This old souq has narrow alleyways filled with the smell of spices, frankincense, and perfumes.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- 2-hour motorboat trip off Muscat coast
- View Mirani Fort
- View Jalali Fort
- Visit Al Alam Palace (walk and photos)
- Walk through harbor district
- Visit Mutrah Souq
Landmarks Bandar al Rhowda Marina Muscat Bay Mirani Fort Jalali Fort Al Alam Palace Mutrah Souq - Day 9
Muscat to Jebel Shams
Starting with breakfast, you'll tour Muscat's Grand Mosque and see its intricate Persian carpet with 1.7 billion knots and a 90-meter minaret. Then it's on to the Natural History Museum before heading inland through the embassies district. You'll drive to Jabreen castle and pass the UNESCO fortress of Bahla, then switch to four-wheel drive vehicles for the climb up Jebel Shams. At Al Hamra you'll see traditional adobe buildings, then continue to the mountain plateau where there's an optional short hike. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a simple camp on the mountain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at desert camp on Jebel Shams)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- City tour of Muscat
- Visit Grand Mosque
- Visit Natural History Museum
- Visit Jabreen castle
- Photo stop at Bahla fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Off-road vehicle drive to Jebel Shams
- Visit Al Hamra village
- Ascent to Jebel Shams mountain plateau
- Dinner at desert camp
- Overnight at desert camp
Optional Activities
- Short hike on Jebel Shams plateau
Landmarks Grand Mosque Natural History Museum Jabreen Castle Bahla Fortress Al Hamra Jebel Shams 
- Day 10
Jebel Shams to Nizwa
After breakfast, you'll ride four-wheel drive back to Al Hamra to visit a private museum. The village of Misfat, built entirely of stone on a steep mountainside, is next. Then you'll drive to Nizwa, which was Oman's historic capital in the 17th century and was known for religion, philosophy, art, and trade. The fortress here has an imposing tower that took twelve years to build with a winding staircase designed to confuse intruders. You'll climb it for views across the city. Check into your hotel, then at 4:30 pm visit the busy Nizwa Souq. Dinner at a local restaurant can be arranged but isn't included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Four-wheel drive return to Al Hamra
- Visit private museum in Al Hamra
- Visit village of Misfat
- Visit Nizwa fortress
- Ascent of fortress tower
- Check-in to hotel
- Visit Nizwa Souq
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant in Nizwa
Landmarks Al Hamra Private Museum Misfat Nizwa Fortress Nizwa Souq 
- Day 11
Nizwa to Wahiba Sands
You'll start at Sinaw's colorful market where Bedouin women in traditional clothing shop and sell handicrafts. From there, head to Wadi Bani Khalid, probably Oman's best oasis with lush plants and clear turquoise water full of small fish. Then you're off to the Wahiba Sands desert where four-wheel drive vehicles pick you up and take you to the camp. You'll settle in for the afternoon and evening while dinner gets prepared. You'll stay overnight and have dinner at the desert camp.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at desert camp)
Included Activities
- Visit Sinaw market
- Visit Wadi Bani Khalid oasis
- Four-wheel drive to desert camp in Wahiba Sands
- Overnight at desert camp
- Dinner at desert camp
Landmarks Sinaw Market Wadi Bani Khalid Wahiba Sands 
- Day 12
Wahiba Sands to Muscat
You'll leave the desert and head toward the coastal city of Sur, where traditional dhow-building continues today. On the way back to Muscat, there's a stop at Wadi Shab if you want to hike there. Then you'll continue on to Muscat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sur city
- View dhow-building tradition
Optional Activities
- Hike in Wadi Shab
Landmarks Sur Wadi Shab 
- Day 13
Muscat to Nakhl
Heading west, you'll explore Barka's traditional market selling fruit and vegetables, then visit the small private museum Bait Na'aman. You'll cross the Batinah plain to Nakhl to tour the fortress that was recently renovated and refurnished with traditional pieces, complete with intricate wooden door carvings and ceiling paintings. Climb the observation tower for great views of the countryside and the barren Jebel Nakhl mountain range. From the old village center, walk through date palm gardens toward Ain Thowarah to experience the hot springs. You'll return to Muscat with free time before your evening airport transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Barka fruit and vegetable market
- Visit Bait Na'aman private museum
- Visit Nakhl fortress
- Ascent of Nakhl fortress observation tower
- Walk through date palm gardens
- Visit hot springs at Ain Thowarah
Landmarks Barka Market Bait Na'aman Nakhl Fortress Jebel Nakhl Ain Thowarah Hot Springs - Day 14
Muscat to Germany
Your trip ends with your return flight from Muscat back to Germany.
